Pulley



(No Model.) I s Sheets-Sheet 1;

J. W. OSBORNE. PULLBY, ROLLER, 0R WHEEL.

No. 289,368. Patented Nov. 27, 1883.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. w. OSBORNE.

PULLBY, ROLLER, 0R WHEEL.

No. 289,368. Patented Nov. 27, 1883.

WunaSsas (No Model.) r 3 sheetsfSheet 3. J. W. OSBORNE, I PUL LBY, ROLLER, 0R WHEEL.

Patented Nov. 27

' WZZ/ZESQEEJ :51) after expansion.

llharrno STATES PATENT men.

JOIIX ll. OSBOIZXE, OF \VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGI'TOR TO \YI'LLIAM II. FORBES, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

PU-LLEY, ROLLER. OR WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 289,368, dated November 27, Application filed October 3,1881. (So model.)

T all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN IV. OSBORNE, of Yi ashington, District of' Columbia, have invented a ncwand useful Improven'ient in. the

Construction ofPulleys -Rollers, and Friction- IVheels, of= which the following isa specification.

This'invention is related, generally, to the devices employed for. receiving or communi- IO cati'ng motion by means of belts and bearingsurfaces generally, and specifically to the class of contrivanccs known as expansible pulleys and wheels. As nowconstructed, for the most part, the diameter of such pulleys, rolleis, &c., is made changeable within certain farther from or nearer to the shaft or axle on which the pulley or wheel is fastened, \or by adjusting conical surfaces on the'sainc, so as to modify the position and radius of the'driving portion but when such methods are adopted, it becomcsa problem presenting many difficulties to keep the expanded orcontracted periphery of the pulley or roller continuous, and at the-same time truly circular. In my invention I inc-lose one or more rings of (alas-i tic inaterialsuch as rubber between flat metal rings or plates of the same or greater diameter and by approaching said plates with the requisite force 1 cause the elastic substance toincrease its size radially-from the axis of the pulley or wheel, thereby increasing the diameter of the part over which a belt runs,

,or which has frictional contact with some other. surface. Some of the ways in which this principle isput in practice'are shown. in-the accompanying draw-ings in which-.-

" Figure 1 is a pulley in eross-sectiouunex panded; Fig. 2, the-same in .front' elevation Fig. 3 is a side elevation' of the foregoing. Fig. 4. 'is the cross-section of a pulley ofsimila'r but modified construction expanded. Fig. 5 is a section of the same on line 1 1 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same, showing the method of adjusting the expansion. pulley or wheel in which the expansible periphery or rim consists of a stratificationof elastic and non-elastic material. Fig. 8 is'an 5o elevation of the same. Fig.9 shows in cross- :pansible rini'. limits by mov ngsegments oflthc periphery.

section of the same.

side of an expansible pulley. The flange or disk I) forms the other side, and both flanges whole length of the sleeve, the space between Fig. 7 is a cross-section of a section partof a wheel similar to Fig. 7, in which the face is convex. Fig. 10 is the same as the foregoing, but with concave face. Fig.

11 shows in cross-section a bevel-pinion'with Stratified ex pansible face. Fig-121's a front elevation of the same. Fig. 13 shows in plan an expansible bevel-pinion in contact with a wheel. Fig. 14shows in cross-section a bevel- .wheel of modified construction. 4 Fig. 15 is a front elevation-of the same. Fig. 16 shows in cross-section"an'expansible niit-erwheel of modified construction; Fig. 17 is afrout elevation of the same. Fig. 18 shows in'cross section an annular wheel with Stratified ex;

Fig. 19 isa front elevation of thesame. :1. F g-[ s e va ion of ap rtie of a dividingplate. Fig. 21 is'a radial cross In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the flange to forms one" are fast, the one to' the hub upon a shalt 'or spindle and the otherto a sleeve slidingon the hub. When the flanges-are separated the them is filled by a ring ot'-vulcanized rubber, 'c. This ring fits closely upon the sleeve, and has parallel sides. Its outer surface is ground off flush with the edges of the disks, and on this surface the belt runs when the pulley is in use. The hub has a thread out upon it,

and carries the nut d, by which the sides lof the pulley can be forced togethernj n doing which the sleeve entersthe recessed-.grooyec, L the depth of which determinesthef extent to.. which the coinpressignr canbeoarried pressure is applied' 'by the'nut;theelhs ema- "terial between"the ftlahges hesoiifi way possible, which is radiallyf r0m the een-.-- .ter in every direction toward the llinsuppbrtcd. 9o

circumference, and the diameter or the central.

Iworking portion of the faceis':thereby creased. It will be seen that the'construction is such that in effecting this compression fall the sides of the rubber, except its :tace,-are solidly supported at all times, and in consequence the change whichtakes place" in itsformis confined to one direction only. .Nor can the rubber-be forced into cavities, which} as the expansion is continued, are lia'ble to close 100 (between the two extremes) is obtainable. The form which the face assumes due to compres- ,sion is a curve of greater or less convexity, ac-

cording to the position of the nut and the width. of the rubber, for, as thesides of the 'pulleyTofier very considerable friction the 10.

particles of the elastic substance are hindered from'inoving. a1o ng.the m5;:and asgtheir free dorn to. case. is greatest at the middle, the out,

ward expansionis greatest there, anaemi "ishcs toward 'the'sides, giving rise'to a curve which is well adapted for carrying a belt and for driving other, surfaces by friction, or being driven whenevera convex face is suitable. the elastic mass being thoroughly supported at all times by the side flanges and cylindrical sleeve below it.

Figs. 4,5, and 6 represent a pulley similar in all essential respects to that just described, but differing from it in. some details of construction. The body f is constructed so that it can be keyed or otherwise fastened to the shaft. Upon it rests the rubber ring 9 in contact with the fixed flange h. The movable ring i slides uponthe body, and is pressed against the rubber by the nut k, which, as it is screwed up, compresses the same moreand more, thereby increasing the diameter of the working '-face of the pulley. The movable "flange may be prevented from turning byj'a small short pin upon its inner edge, moving in ashallow groove in'tlie body. (Indicated by dottedliues at l.) The outside edge of the nut 7.2 is atoothed wh-ccl, into which re hes the little pinion m on the flange '17. .Tur ing this pinion by means of asuitablekey will cause the nutJc to revolve and effect the further compression of the rubber or a return in greater or.

less degree to its original flat form, according to the direction in which the pinion-has been turned. It will be seen that in this-case the flanges extend beyond the rubber face, giving it aform whichis convenient for some purposes. A pulley of'this kind is well adapted for carrying belting of every description-and especially metallic belting, because of thehold which the rubber takes upon such surfaces,

' gfoling i isc to much friction, or resistai'i'ce to slip, without adhesion. Furthermore, the

thorough manner iniwhichthe ru-bhenl'jssup' ported insures the manit'enun cedi' "its'dlames' mer when oovercd by thebelt, as well as the. fiQS itive; movement of. the latter, the elastic periphery being solid and unyielding beneath, it. Verynice adjustments of speed cantherefore be made, and when such are unimportant the expansible character of the pulley fur- Dishes the best means possible for tightening metallic belting:

a l I I i In carrym out my 1nvent1on I use 1n certain cases-n mel y, when the pulley is not too small or the motion too rapid other substances analogous to vulcanized rubbenand elasticityas, for instance, the well-known mixture of glue and molasses, or glue and glycerine, with the addition of a very small quantity ofwater, both of which. compounds are used in the'arts for the manufacture of printers rollers, and for other purposes.

w than rubber, but it is also'less durable.

.expansibleby my method, it will-be generally pressure required will be great: This difli with nuts upon them in the manner shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In this case thebody of the movable one, 0, which takes the form of a flat and both are held together, and the lateral pressure upon the elastic material between them is determined and controlled by means precisely the same extent, and to facilitate traverses over a small circle marked with turned oil parallel to the axis; 011 the cylinder; so formed. a numbcrof independent vulten'ding outward to the edge of the flanges,

plates t t, of .thin metal, are placed, the circuure be now appliedto the rim formed of the elasti'czstratified material between the flanges,

actly, the same amount of pressure, each will .Bt-rictly speaking, each pie have an independent cony but. as in such wheels a ver ment onlyis required, and a the wheel works. against tendfsj slight conycxit-ies produced, the pulleyl will be flat for all practical .p

A. wheel so constructed,- in contactlwith another likeit, or with one having'a -flat metal resembling it in possessing a great rangeot rumr inconizenient' to applythe lateral press urc' necessary'by means of a single concentric nut, for the reason, among others, thattlie- .pulley or wheel has one fast .fiange, n,'and a ring. The latter slides upon the shoulder this the nuts have each'a little pointer, which 95 'tallic rim' 1 between the flanges n and o is eanized-rubber rings, .9 s, &c., are fitted,.ex-.

lar openings in which fit easily upon the me- 'tallic rim 9:. \Vhen the flange 0 is tightened upon the rubber-,and metal rings, so as to bring all intojcontaot, the whole faceof thepulley is ground olf fiat down to the metal. If press- Elastic'material of this sort is much cheaper \Vhen'pulleys ofilarg'e diameter are made,

culty is overcome ,by' using a number of bolts i 9O ofthe boltsq'q,&c.-.These bolts,havingscrews P of the same pitch, should be screwed up to w important modificationOf my invention, by 1 and between each ring ofrubber annular' IIO by screwing up they nuts q &c., equally all 1 round the diameter of -the pulley will bein- 'increased,. and as each separate ring of rubf tern-tr the-same thickness and receives err-[12o increaser'adially outward to thesame extent, and the result will be a generally flat surface.

' of rubber will 1 of its own, al en ar e 3 s rface.- 0 flatten-the urposes. V

very broad where much plates may Lil lie face, is well adapted to take in many cases the place of ordinary spur-gearing. For this purpose the face of the wheel 1 may be made power is transmitted;

but it is then well to notch the thin metal plat-est t, &c., at one or more places on their inner circumference corresponding to small flat fillets crossing the face of the rim '1", (not shown in the drawings, as they woulidjtend to confuse the same,,) to theen'd that the thin notbeliable to turn upon the cy lindricalgsurfaceand therubber with them.

When so constructed, this/wheel willbe foundtc act very efticiently, for the rubberv used is so well supportedthat a'very soft and pure quality can be employed, which grips much better and wears longer thanthose descrip tions which are hardened and stiffened by the presence of foreign matters. When an ex pansible pulley of this description is required for a belt, metallicor otherwise, the face can be given the usual slight convexity by grinding the rubber and dividing-plates before expension to the desired curve, as shown in Fig. S), which will be afterward maintained without change. In like manner an expansible face can be produced which will remain generally concave, if for any particular purpose such should be required, as shown in Fig. 10; but in all such cases-the rubber must be flush with the supporting metallic rings and flanges.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate the clasticmaterial just explained for the production of the expansiblc face of a long eonical wheel or pinion used in changing the di-' rection and angular velocity of rotating shafts in cases where considerable power is also transmitted. The stock or body of the wheel a is provided with the flange r,which is lixcd. Upon the '-vlindrical part of the stock the sliding rings uric, &c. ,'are fitted, each of which carries a thin flange, a." 41:, Against each flange a rubber ring, 3/ 3 &c., is placed, some what thicker than the metal ring on which it rests. \Vhen the compound rings are placed in proper order, side by side, upon the stock, and pressed together solidly by the movable tlauge z, actedupon by the circular nut a", the whole face of the wheel is ground off flush with the/flanges at the ends, whereby the fa is given the required inclination to the axis; The flanged jecting stud in each, which at I). A wheel so constructed admits of pansion without change of angle, and with a generally ilat bearing-shrthce by screwing up the not a", the diameter of every part of the wheel being thereby increased.

Fig. lg'rillustratcs iii plan the manner in which an expansible pinion, 0",.01 this descriptionworks against a lmvel-whecl with llat metal face. in lhiscase the shafts are at right application of the principle of stratified elastic and non-- rings 1041;, &c., and the flange n are prevented from turning by a small proslides forward in the shallow groove indicated by dotted lines angles, and the angular four-is to one.

Figs. 14 and 15 show in section and elevation the adaptation of this princ'iple,with cervelocity will be as bevel-wheel of larger size, requiring considerable foree for its expansion. In this case the body of the wheel is'turned so as to form a .number of steps, 'to each of whicha rubber ring, .d d", 820., is fitted. A circular flat plate, c1e., .ecg, is interposed between each ring and that nextfollowing-it, the rubber being a little thicker than the step on which it rests to allow for. compres. on, and the plate from which it receives the pressure moving forward upon the next step of largerdiameter.

&c., through the intervention of thevmovable flange g", is communicated uniformly and equally to each of the rubber rings in the seriesyresulting in the expansion of each and the consequent enlargement of the diameter of the whee In the construction of this wheel it' will be seen that a gradual decrease takes place in the depth of the rubber rings employed, and that in this respect it differs from Figs. 11 and 12. adopt (when the increase of the angle which the face of the, wheel makes with the axis renders it necessary) for the purpose of equalizing the expansion of each separate ring, so as to" secure a generally flat face parallel to that originally formed upon the wheel, for while the lateral pressure is the same on all thcrin gs, the side area (when they are of equal depth) increases as they become of largerdiamet'er, and the pressure upon a unit of sur face becomes less, which results in less radial expansion. This decrease is compensated for to a greater or less extent by the increased compensation varying with the quality of the rubber used, its thickness, the mobility of its particles, &.c., so that it is not possible without trial to determine in any particular case how much the inside diameter of the larger rings should be increased to obtain that degree ofpressure per ,unit of surface which will best accomplish the end in vi'ew,fand therefore the progressive change; in this respect shown in Fig. 14 should only be regarded as approximately correct.

this metliddiot construction which maybe adopted for miter-wheels, and those in which Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate FtullIOLlliiCLitlOILQl;

degrees with the axis In this case therubthin dividing-plates i", &c., and the pressure is applied by-the compressing-bolts k" k", &c., through the intervention of the conical flange Z", which, while it moves forward in a direc tion parallel to the axis, gives a resultant parallel to the face and in a direction at right angles to the opposing flange m". \Vhen the expansion of a miter-wheel of this construction tain modifications, to the construction 'of a In this way the force exerted by the.11utsff,-

This is a provision which 1 mass of rubber available for expansion, said:

the face makes an angle greater than forty-five ber rings h" h", &c., are conical; as are also the is effected, it takes place upon the squarely cut or ground surface of each ring of rubber, and not upon that which is cut obliquely, as in the case of the bevel-wheel previously des ribed, and it is in a direction perpendicular 1 to the face and not to the axis, as in Fig. 14.

Nevertheless, while these are advantages applicable to a wheel of any .angle, they involve greater complex-ityin' the manufacture, audit will be found .that in very many-cases, especially where theface makes an angle. O less V than forty-five degrees with the'-axi's,the Sim pler arrangement is quite satisfactory. I method of constructing friction-gearing has This many advantages. In erecting such the-face of the opposing wheel isbrought in contact.

or very nearly in contact, with the edges of.

the fianges on the wheel which holds the stratified rubber, and when the journals are fast the friction between the two is increased by ex pansion until it is enough for the transmission of the power required. The amount necessary to accomplish this is very small, due to the construction employed, as. the edges of the rubber face on both sides begin to bear as soon as the center portion. Any wear which takes .placein time on the fiat surface, and any sub sequent increase in the power to be transmitted, are provided for by simply screwing up the compression-nuts. As before stated, sort 1 and pure rubber can be used because of the to the stratified rubber from the start, which expanded to adjust the speed with accuracy or to tighten the belt, which latter operation is curve is afterward maintained, whether it be betterdone in that way forsuch belts than in any other. I v I The expansion principle, as I have applied it to friction-gearing and described it-herein,

not only obviates alladjustment from time 'to ti me of; the b'ealrings on' whidh the Wheels tate, but it also actsvery beneficially in holding the rubber-upon the rim of the'wheel,

for when pressure is applied laterally, the rubber behaves much as if it were-a liquid.

1 It presses in every direction and grasps, in

i it is especially useful, overcoming'the difliculconsequence, the body of thewheel under it,

the flanges at the sides,- and the dividing plates with .much force, whereby any movement orslip is prevented. For bevel gearing ties which the accurate construction and cutting of toothed gearing of this kind gives rise to andthe expense attending the same.

Itis for this reason,

ceases As a substitute for annular gearing illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19, the principle of expansion is also applicable. .The grip on the pinion in this case is very strong, and its size is not subject to the limitations appertaining to toothed gearing of this kind.

In the several applications/of rubber and analogous bodies for the construction of put 'leys; rollers, and friction-wheels described in this specification, the support which the rubber receives from .the flanges or plateswhichbefore the pressure becomes considerable, af-' ter which it is always held firmly; but with certain inferior kinds of rubber it is desirable to prevent the possibility of any movement which may result in the elevation of unsupported material at the sides, and this is easily effected by undercutting the flanges, and in a a variety of other ways. I prefer, however, to out a number of concentric depressions on the surfaces where a slip may take place, into which the mass is forced when the pressure first affects it, and which effectually prevents its movement over them.

In Fig. 20 an elevation on a large scale is shown of a portion of an annular plate used in the stratifying of rubber or analogous bodies forming the elastic bearing-rimon a pulley. or wheel, and inFig. 21 the same is shown in radial cross-section. In both figures the depressions referred to are represented at n n, 860.

I am aware that rubber has been used for vIIO friction-rollers, and that rubber wheels have been held and compressed by'side plates, so as to swell the overhanging and projecting part; but in the devices of which I have any .knowledge that part of the mass which'is held and supported, and which, in consequence, has resistanceand driving capacityycarries upon surface of any kind, the superfluous rubber When a wheel v evades the same, it escapes and extends laterally, and awave rises in the flexible material,

which is forced to travel the whole circumference at the speed of rotation, involving a vast amount of useless work and the rapid disintegration'of the, rubber.

In my invention, .by

adapting the thickness of the individual pieces pressure applied and the workdemanded'of rubber at the periphery, and so arranged and them, the support they receive is always-efli combined. with adjusting devices that they cient, and will be found tosolidify and sustain may be given a'wi'de range of adjustment to F a elastic material and their numneii- 0 the, sms outside disksterminating flea withthe 5 thesurface in a marked and decidedma'nner; and from each other, so'as to produce a p'rac-I Ina wheel so constructed every part of the tical expansion-pulley, v p face accomplishes the maximum result with ,Having thus fully described my invention; the least possiblewaste'of power and wear. j "and the manner in,which the same is carried I am aware that 'ezgpansible pulleys have: out, what I-claim,;and Wish to secure by *Let- "IO been constructed by insertingrubbe'rringsand 'ters Patent, is j 7 a5 rubber, disks between compressionrpl'ates; so 1.-A pulley of variable diameter, consisting jas to be expanded bytheapplicatioiif lat 'of'a'body ofring of rubber twp circular side 'cral pressurajand tcsnchcombination {flanges adaptedfoifawide-range-of adjustment 1 noclaiinl 'TlVIyinvntionconteruph "to and fromaeach other while-incontact-with I ployment,:with sideplates or heads ter1al'-such as metalor hard rubberyw ch ery,and means, substantially as described, for 'combinsiiniitself the qualities of ilexibillty';- forcibly moving said plates toward each other, hardness, and .incompressibility,-- in eonsewhereby therubber body maybe extended quence of which I am enabled to give mypuluniformly in alldirections. a 2o ley a definite and uniform enlargement in all z 2. In an expa-nsible "pulley 'or roller, the 5; directions, andto secure and maintain an ac combination of two circular side flanges with curacy of form not obtainable by the employalternating rings of elastic and non-elastic mament of soft rubberfgin any manner hitherto terial, all'placed flush with the flanges and bepracticed. tween the same, and means, substantially as '25. I am aware that in a patent for pulleys dedescribed, for approaching said flanges rela- 6o isigned to sustain wire-ropes a central rubber tively to each other. band is illustrated between two wooden hubs, 3. In an expansible pulley, the combination, by which' it is'sustained, the hubs hayinga as described, of a hub and its flange, a sliding yery limited capacity] of adjustment toward sleeve-and its flange, and aring ofelasticmatebcr betwcen them, and the expansion of the pulley not being in View; 7 y -r I do not-claim to be the first to confine rub- Witnesses: p

JOHN W. OSBORNE go each other for-the purpose of binding the rubrial, with means for approaching said flanges. 65 r a 

